Creer, retired Air Force general, real estate executive, dies at 92

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 | 10:53 a.m.

William "Bill" Creer was a leader, whether commanding air raids over Europe during World War II, setting an air-speed record across the Atlantic in the 1950s or running one of Las Vegas' largest realty offices in the 1970s.

A military veteran of 34 years who attained the rank of major general before retiring to Las Vegas in 1969, Creer became general manager of Charles L. Ruthe & Associates Land and Commercial Properties Real Estate in 1971 and, in 10 years with the firm, guided the company through its greatest period of growth.

When he was elected president of the Nevada Board of Realtors in 1977, Creer encouraged the board to step up its political efforts -- a move that helped solidify the group as a leading influential force in Nevada policy-making.

Creer died Thursday of complications of old age at his Las Vegas home. He was 92.

Services for the Las Vegas resident of 35 years will be in Provo, Utah, on a date to be determined. Palm Mortuary-Jones is handling the local arrangements.

"As my general manager, he was totally military, but the people in the office loved working for him," Chuck Ruthe said today from his summer home in Incline Village.

"He used to say things like, 'Let's quit the lovemaking and get down to work.' He was an exceptional individual -- dedicated, honest and loyal."

Upon being elected president of the state realty board, Creer urged his fellow board members to strive for what he called political maturity.

"We have come a long way in the political arena, but we cannot afford to limit our efforts to the year the state Legislature is in session," Creer told the gathering at a meeting of the state's Realtors in 1977. "Our actions must be continuous."

Ruthe said that while some board members were politically active at the time, Creer's "fingerprints were all over" making the board a stronger, more united force in shaping the political landscape of Nevada.

Born June 16, 1912, in Spanish Fork, Utah, Creer graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of science degree in 1934 and, a year later, began his military career as an aviation cadet. In 1936, he entered the Army Air Corps as a lieutenant.

During World War II, Creer participated in 17 B-17 bombing missions over Europe. He later flew 34 mercy missions, dropping food in the Netherlands.

In 1949 Creer earned a master's degree in international relations from Stanford University and was assigned to the Strategic Air Command.

In 1954 Creer set a North Atlantic speed record in a B-47, flying from Brize Norton, England, to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Creer was promoted to brigadier general in 1958 and major general in 1961 and capped his military career as deputy commandant for Academic Affairs at the National War College in Washington, D.C.

Creer's military decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with an oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the French Croix de Guerre with palm.

Creer was a member of the Retired Officers Association.

He is survived by his wife, Vivienne Creer of Las Vegas; two daughters, Carolyne Creer of Oakland, Calif., and Elizabeth Creer Marx of Granite Bay, Calif; four brothers, Joseph Creer of Spanish Fork, Rex Creer of Fruit Heights, Utah, Brent Creer of Morgan Hill, Calif., and Glade Creer of Springville, Utah; and two grandchildren.